Quiz: Howstuffworks

Is Your Brain More Law Enforcement or Military?

Teresa McGlothlin

Image: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

About This Quiz

It takes a special kind of brain to either work in law enforcement or to join the military! Both careers require mental toughness and the ability to think under a variety of pressures. From hostile territories to unruly crowds after a losing football game, law enforcement officer and military members know how to navigate the stickiest of sticky situations.

Throughout this quiz, we are going to put you in a few professional and personal situations that will show us how you think. We'll also assess your personality traits and your willingness to follow orders. By the time you've survived our battery of questions, you'll be ready for a military entrance exam or a law enforcement test. And we'll let you know which career your brain is already suited to try!

Whether you've been considering dedicating your life to protecting and serving or you just want to know how you would fare in either occupation, you'll find out once you've finished these questions. Knowledge is power! Knowing which way your brain thinks will give you a head start on any career you choose to follow.

Your results will not get you into officer training, but they will tell you which direction to go. Will it be law enforcement or the military? Let's find out!

lechatnoir / E+ / Getty Images

You think you've seen the person in front of you on a wanted poster. What do you do?

I'm sure I'm just tired.

I would look it up on my phone.

I'm going to call the police just in case it's the fugitive.

I would try to strike up a conversation so I could learn about them.

Ross Anania / Photodisc / Getty Images

If someone kept eating your lunch, how would you find the culprit?

I would lace it with a laxative.

They have tiny cameras these days.

It's time to stake out the breakroom.

I would use a dye bag like they use for bank robbers.

Lebazele / E+ / Getty Images

You're camping and you've forgotten your lighter. How are you going to build a fire?

I always carry a fire starting pen.

I'm going to use a magnifying glass.

I'll rub two sticks together.

A battery and a piece of foil should do the trick.

SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images

Why do you think you would be a great police officer?

I'm in good shape. I could keep up with any foot chase.

I'm always concerned with my community.

I'm patient with those who need a helping hand.

I can smell crime from a mile away.

phillipspears / E+ / Getty Images

Are you better with technology or fixing things with your hands?

I'm on the handier side.

Honestly, I'm better at baking.

I'm fascinated with technology.

If the task isn't too hard, I can do both.

Scott Markewitz / Photographer's Choice RF / Getty Images

There's a big brown bear on your front porch. How are you going to handle that situation?

I'm going to go hide in the attic.

I have to get a photo!

I think I would call the fire department.

I'll wait it out and set a trap later.

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Which one of these should-be crimes would cause you to make a citizen's arrest?

Taking up two parking spaces

Chewing with an open mouth

Being late for everything

Not washing your hands after you use the bathroom

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An accident has happened right in front of you. What do you do first?

Pull over

Call 911

Run to help

Try to stop the oncoming traffic

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You get to drive a military vehicle to work tomorrow. Which one will you choose?

Hummer

Tank

Jeep

Fighter jet

Aja Koska / E+ / Getty Images

You're trying to mow the lawn, but the mower won't start. How do you get the job done?

I have borrowed my neighbor's mower in the past.

I guess it's time for a new mower.

I'll break out the toolbox.

I would rather have a lawn service do it anyway.

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Both law enforcement and the military require a lot of testing. What are you like when you take a test?

Confident

Anxious

Serious

Competitive

DAJ / Getty Images

If your boss gave you an order you didn't agree with, would you obey it?

I would have to question my boss.

An order is an order.

If it's wrong, I will not do it.

It depends on the order.

Lewis Mulatero / Moment Mobile / Getty Images

When you pack for a trip, which item do you always remember to bring?

Water

Cash

Snacks

Passport

Hello Lovely / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Do you have a lot of willpower when it comes to staying in shape?

I could use a little more.

I'm more self-disciplined than most people I know.

I do the best I can.

The short answer is no.

Opla / E+ / Getty Images

When you can't sleep at night, what keeps your brain awake?

The uneaten snacks in the cupboards

Usually my job

Finances

The future

D-Keine / E+ / Getty Images

If you were a detective, what would you like to investigate?

Identity theft

Homicide

Missing persons

Corporate fraud

SolStock / E+ / Getty Images

You see a team member struggling to finish a task. Do you offer to help?

I'm too competitive to offer help.

I will give them a minute to figure it out.

We're probably not allowed to help.

It's the right thing to do.

Lorado / E+ / Getty Images

If you were to enlist in the military, which branch would be right for you?

Army

Marines

Navy

Air Force

JulNichols / E+ / Getty Images

Your electricity is going to be out for a week. Are you prepared?

I might need a few more batteries.

As long as I have water, I'll be OK.

I'm prepared to drive to a hotel for a week.

I could last longer than a week.

EMPPhotography / E+ / Getty Images

Which one of these ranks would you give your level of procrastination?

Admiral

Ensign

Lieutenant

Captain

Vanessa Berberian / Stockbyte / Getty Images

Your neighbor keeps revving his engine, and it's making you crazy. Do you say something?

I'll just buy some earplugs.

I'll call the sheriff and complain.

I'll march right over there.

I'll rev my engine louder next time.

LukaTDB / E+ / Getty Images

Would you take the protect part or the serve part of your oath more seriously?

I'm not big on making promises.

I think protecting is needed more these days.

Service is a noble thing to give.

They are both to be taken seriously.

Tom Werner / DigitalVision / Getty Images

If you were promoted to the head of your department, how would you lead it?

I would be laid back.

I know I would be strict.

I wouldn't want that job.

It would be the most efficient department in the building.

Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images

Are you the kind of driver who needs to pass the car in front of you?

It depends how fast we're going.

I have to be in the lead.

I don't like to drive.

It doesn't bother me to flank the rear.

Dusan Ilic / E+ / Getty Images

You're lost in the wild, and you need to eat something. How do you find food?

I look for red berries.

Ants and crickets make nice snacks.

I know that you can eat cattails.

I would make a few traps and catch something for the fire.

Investigation Discovery

Which one of these crime shows are you more likely to binge watch?

"Deadly Women"

"American's Most Wanted"

"The First 48"

"The Nightmare Next Door"

Philipp Nemenz / Cultura / Getty Images

Would you feel more like yourself driving a new truck or a new sports car?

Motorcycle

Truck

Sports car

SUV

Kohei Hara / DigitalVision / Getty Images

What type of learner would you say that you are?

Visual

Auditory

Sensory

Social

narvikk / E+ / Getty Images

Would you rather trade careers with a trucker or a farmer?

I wouldn't mind trying either one.

Farming looks too tough for me.

I think I would rather be a trucker.

I'm destined to be an officer.

PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images

What part of your career would you want to change?

The ability to get promoted would be great.

I need better benefits.

I could use a few more dollars on the paycheck.

I need more days off.

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